Match book assembling mechanism



Dec. 26, 1944.

'M. sPEcToR MATCH BOOK ASSEMBLING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 28, 1941 o I Fi7 l 57 M 1 58 0.; I F 5 76 22 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR De c. 26, 1944.

M. SPECTOR MATCH BOOK ASSEMBLING MECHANISM '3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 28. 1941 INVENTOR De. 26, 1944. M. SPECTOR MATCH BOOK ASSEMBLING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 28, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1NVENTOR.'

Patented Dec. 26, 1944 MATCH BOOK ASSEMBLING MECHANISM Morris Specter, Chicago Ill., assignor to Specter Patents, Inc.,. Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application February 28, 1941, Serial No. 381,166

11 Claims. (Cl. 226-.4)

' This invention relates to assembling mechanism for matchbook making machines.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an improved mechanism for assembling match books. Ascommonly constructed, owing to the heads of the matches being positioned at one end of the books, the match books are thinner at one end than at the other and it is therefore necessary that the match books be alternated preparatory to packing, that is, the thicker end of one book be positioned between the thinner ends of the adjacent books on opposite sides thereof.

When match books are delivered by a match book making machine they travel in a straight *1.

line, one behind the other, with the thin ends of all the books facing in the same direction. It has been proposed to reverse alternate books by a transfer mechanism which transfers the books from the match making portion of the machine to the stackin portion thereof, said transfermechanism being arrangedto reverse alternate books. The transfer mechanism comprises a rotatable polygonal shaped frame having a number of receivers or pockets on the periphery thereof each of which receives a match book and transfersit to the stacking mechanism. In one form of mechanism, such as shown in the patent to Nevins, No. 1,535,031, the alternate receivers are rotatable so that "alternatematch books are reversed as they are moved from the assembling line to the stacking mechanism. Suchan arrangement is quitesatisfactory in a medium or low speed machine. However, if themachine is to be operated at a very high speed then alternate match books which arebeing reversed as well as movedtowards the assembling mechanism must be moved ataterrific'ally highvelocity. This is objectionable. In addition, the means for reversing alternate pockets must necessarily be located within thepolygonal frame. This necessitates'a comparatively large frame and, at the same time,

mechanism the next succeeding book is in the process of reversal. Furthermore, sincethe reversing mechanism is apart from the transfer mechanism th actuating gearing for the reversing mechanism need not be made as small as in the case where the reversing mechanism is combined with the transfer mechanism. Larger gearing eliminatesthe need of extreme precautions as to precision and therefore avoids a large amount of play developing after a small amount of wear of the bearings or teeth.

The books are delivered by the match book making machine in a step by step manner, there.

being a period of dwell'between each successive movement of the match book. The step by step movement of the match bookis necessitated because each book is advanced successively to the different operating mechanisms forforming the book, with a period of dwell at each operating mechanism. In accordance-with the principles'of the present invention aturn table is positioned to receive each successively completed match book from the match book making machine. The turn table is interposed between the match book mak-. ing machine and the transfer frame or turret which transfers the books to a stacking mechanism. The turn table is arranged to rotate through 180 for each alternate book received thereby, during the period of dwell between successive movements of the book. On the intervening alternate books received by the turn table the turntable remains stationary. Thus the imposes the conditionthat the gearing be very small and therefore cut with a high degree of precision, Any= wearon the gears will produce play or back lash which is highly objectionable. It is one of the objectsof thepresent invention to provide a-reversing mechanism in additionto the transfer mechanism thus relieving the transfer mechanism of the duty of'reversing alterhatebooks and therefore permitting a higher speed of operation. Since the reversing mechani'sm is apart from the transfer mechanism it also may have a high speed of operation. While one matchbook is being'transferred to the stacking turn table reverses the position of alternate books. Any desiredmeans may be provided for rotating the turn table through its One suitable means is by a cam arrangement driven by the main shaft of the match book making machine so that the rotation of the reversing table is always in proper phase relationship to the movementof the match books delivered by the match book making machine. If desired, an electromagnet may be provided for turning the turn table 180 for each energization of the magnet. The magnet can be energized in proper time relationship to the movement of the match books by a switch controlled by a cam driven by the main shaft of the match book making machine. In any event, regardless of the specific mechanism used for turning the turn table or match book making mechanism, the arrangement is such that only alternate books are turned. If desired successive rotations of the turn table may be in the same direction or, as an alternative, successive 180 turns of the turn table may be in opposite directions so that the turn table merely oscillates through a 180 arc, the arrangement being such that successive oscillations of the turntable shall take place when alternate books are in the turn table, the turn table being stationary during the entir intervals when the intervening alternate book are in the turn table.

The attainment of the above and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view of a machine embodying the present invention, certain parts of the machine which are not a part of the present invention being omitted;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a part of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged front view of a portion of the machine, with certain parts thereof omitted;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the reversing mechanism, with certain of the parts broken away.

Reference may now be had more particularly to Figures 1 and 2. The mechanism of the present invention is applied to a standard type of match book making machine, indicated at I. The machine may be of any preferred construction, and manufactures match books of a well known type, such as, for instance, are manufactured by the machine of the patent to Parldon, et al., No. 1,042,472, although the match book making machine of Figure 1 is specifically a different type of machine. The machine includes a rectangular table top 2 supported by four legs 3. A motor .driven main drive shaft 4 is journalled on the under side of the table top 2 and has keyed thereto various cams for operating the match book making machine which form no part of the present invention. It is suflicient to say that the match book covers 6 and match splints 1 are assembled togetherat a station indicated at 8 and then slid along a fiat slide I0 to a stapling position I I, where the match splints are centered between the ends of the cover by centering arms I2-I2, and a wire staple I3 is inserted to staple the match splints to the cover. This completes the match book. The match book is then slid forward along the slide I0 to a reversing position in a reversing mechanism I5. All of the books leaving the stapling position II are in alignment with one another with the stapled end, that is, the thin end of the book, foremost. The reversing mechanism reverses alternate books sothat on the books reversed the stapled end is rearward of the machine rather than forwardly of the machine. The books are then slid forward to a transfer mechanism I6 from which they are transferred by a stacking mechanism I8 which stacks them on a delivery table I9. When a row of twenty-five books, or any other suitable number of books, has been delivered to the table I9 a pusher 20 pushes the row of books forward, thus making room for the next row of twenty-five I books, as is well known in the art.

The match books in the process of formation, and also after completion, are advanced on the slide I0 by a pair of pusher bars 22 that embrace the slide I 0 and each of which has a plurality of upwardly extending fingers 24 a. distance apart equal to the length of the stroke of the pusher bars. The pusher bars are illustrated in Figure 2 in their foremost position. In the operation of the machine the fingers 24 move downwardly below the top of the slide I0 and then back for the full length of the stroke, then up again and forward to the position illustrated in Figures 2 and 4. This completes one cycle of travel of the pusher bars, each cycle resulting in the advancement of a set of three match books to the next succeeding position. The pusher bars are actuated by a cam mechanism, not shown, driven from the main shaft 4.

A description will now be given of the construction of the reversing mechanism I5 for reversing alternate match books. The reversing mechanism is supported on a standard 28 rigidly mounted on the table top 2. A pair of ledges or brackets 29-30 are welded or otherwise secured to the standard 28. A stud shaft 32 i journalled between the brackets 2930 and carries a gear sector 33 rotatable about the axis of the stud shaft 32. The teeth of the sector 33 are in mesh with a gear wheel 35 that is loose on a stud shaft 36 and which is of a radius half the radius of the gear sector 33. The lower surface of the gear wheel 35 has an arm 38 secured thereto and which rotates with the gear wheel 35. The arm 38 has a pawl 39 pivotally secured thereto, which pawl engages a ratchet 4I keyed to the stud shaft 36. The ratchet .has two teeth thereon. The ratchet 4I rotates the shaft 36 which carries, at its lower end, a match book receiver or turn table 42. The receiver 42 is rotated with the stud shaft 36. The receiver 42 includes a pair of arms 43-44 adapted to embrace a match book 45 and hold the same lightly as by a small plate 46 which is pressed toward the match book by a very light spring. The match book is thus held lightly in the receiver 42, even though there may be slight differences in the widths of successive match books delivered. The axis of the stud shaft 36 is .at right angles to the slide I0 and passes exactly r' exactly 180. Means is provided for centering the receiver 42 in its two alternate positions to make up for any slight wear on the parts. This means comprises a disc 48 having. two grooves 49 in the periphery thereof exactly 180 apart, which receive a centering pawl 50 that'has a rounded nose adapted to enter the groove 49 and force the disc 48 to its proper centering position under the action of a spring 52.

The gear sector 33 is oscillated to and fro through an angle of by a link 55 that is reciprocated longitudinally by a lever 58 keyed to a pivoted shaft 51 that is oscillated by a crank 58 keyed thereto and which carries a roller at its lower end that rides on a'cam 59 keyed on a stud shaft 60 driven by the main shaft 4 at exactly half the speed of the main shaft 4 through a set of gears 6I-82. The shaft 51 is moved in one direction by the cam and in the reverse direction by a spring (not shown). The shaft 4 makes assume 55 and it are so proportioned that the strokeoi the gear sector 33 an amount just su-fli'cient to rotatethe gear wheel 35 through an angle of 180 During that time the arm 38 and pawl 33 rotate lithrough an angle oi 180,. the pawl rides upon the ratchet wheel M and produces no' mo tionat the ratchet. Upon the reverse movement of the" link 53, that is, upon" its movement. to the left, irom its extreme right hand position to the position illustrated Figure the pawl 39 en gagcsthe ratchet wheel 4! and moves that wheel through an angle exactly 180". I

When' the shaft 5'! oscillatesin one direction it moves' the lever 55 and through it the pawl 39 in one direction.- Upon reverse oscillatory move merit of the shaft 51 the pawl 39 is moved in the reverse" direction. The cam- 59, which, through the crank 58, oscillates the shaitil, isarranged so that the oscillation thereof one direction is produced during approximately 75 of circular motion of the cam 53.- Duringthe next 285 rota;- tion' ofthe' cam 59 the"- shaft 51 is oscillated in the" reverse 'clirection. It is obvious, therefore, that during somewhat less than one-fourth of each revolution. of the cam 53 the gear wheelv 35 isrotated one direction and during the remaindr of the 360 of rotation of the cam 59 the'gear wheel 35 is rotated in the opposite directioh. Only one direction of rotation of the gear wheel is used to turn the match book receiver 42.

The driving: motion ofthe receiver 42- is during the 75" rotation of the cam 59: It is thus apparout that the receiver is rotated through 180? dur: mg approximately 150 turn of the main shaft 4 and that the receiver 42 remains stationary during the remaining turn or the shaft 4 and durin all of the nest succeeding: revolution of the shaft 4. Thus, for one cycle of movement of a match book the receiver remains entirely stationary and for the next cycle of movement of a match book therceiver rotates throughan angle of 180 durme less than half of the cycle of rotation of the. shaft' 4 and remains stationary during the rest of the cycle. Thus there is a substantial period of dw'ell of the receiver during. each revolution of the shaft n This period of dwell allows sumcirit' tiiiie for pushing a book out of the receiver and advancing a succeedingbook into it. Thus alternate thatch bodks are reversed on the slide [0 while res'ting'on the Slide. During the c'oilnteiclockwis turning of the gear wheel 35, that is; when the awl as is being retracted from ratchet M without turnin it, the spring pressed pawl 50 holds the disc 48 stationary; thu preventing movement of the receiver 42.

The successive match books are pushed from the reversing mechanism to the transfermechanisin Is. The transiermechanism It comprises a frame 10 keyed to a rotatable shaft H and hav m four identical uniformly spaced match book holders 12 similar to the receiver 42, on the peripher'y of the" frame 10. The frame i driven from the main shaft 4' through an angle or 90' for every revolution of the main shaft 4. This is accomplished by a pawl and'ratchet drive. The

ratchet is indicated at 15 and is keyed to the shaft'll and has four ratchet teeth uniformly sr'iaced thereon. The ratchet teeth are engaged by a pawl 1-5 on a crank which is loose on the shaft H and is oscillated by a pawl rod is which is moved up and down by a lever I'I pivoted to one of the legs 3 at 18 and actuated by a cam 19 on the shaft 4 A spring moves the pawl rod 15" in the reverse direction. During each revolution of the cam 19 the shaft H is moved through ing successive books from: the transfer mechanism to the stacking table. The stacking mochan ism comprisesa pair of interconnected horizontally reciprocating rods 82--82 having fingers 83- 8 3 at their ends. During. the period of dwell of the frame Ill, while one match book is being delivered. to the uppermost holder #2 of the frame, the rods 82 move the fingers 83 in a direction from right to lefit as seen in Figures 2 and 3,. to push the match book irom the holder 12 onto the delivery table l9; Match books are thus stacked on the'table one againstanother with alternate books reversed so that the thin end of one book is between th thick. end of two adjacent books and with the flaps of all the books facing in the same direction. In compliance with the requirements of the patent statutes 1 have here shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention. It is, however, to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction here shown, the same being merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. What I consider new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1-. In a match bookmaking machine wherein match books are advanced in a line step by step along a path in a direction from the back to- Wards the front ofthe machine and with the thin ends of the books all facing in the same direc tion, stacking mechanism for stacking the books in a row below and at right angles to the aforesaid path of movement of thebooks, a reversing mechanism receiving the successive books of a line of books and reversing only alternate ones, and. a transfer mechanism receiving the books from the reversing mechanism and transferring them to the stacking mechanism.

2. In a match book making machine, book reversing mechanism comprising a receiver having means for gripping and holding match books, means for discharging successive books from the receiver, said receiver being rotatable about an axis passing. centrally through and substantially at right angles to a flat side of the book held in' said gripping means, means for rotating the receiver abouts-aid axis through an angle of for each alternate book delivered to the receiver, 7 the receiver remaining stationary for the intervening alternate books, and a transfer mechanism receiving the books from the reversing mechanlsm.

3. In a match book making machine, book reversing mechanism including a receiver for books, means for discharging successive books from the receiver, means mounting said receiver for rotation about an axis passing centrally through and substantially at right angles to a fiat side of the book, means for rotating the receiver about said axis through an angle of 180 for each alternate book delivered to the receiver, the receiver remaining stationary for the intervening alternate books,- and a transfer mechanism receiving the books fr'omthe reversing mechanism, said transfer mechanism comprising a rotating frame member'having a plurality of receivers carried by the periphery of the frame and stationary withi 'espt-ict thereto, said frame being rotatable about an axis at rightangles to the axis. of rotation of the receiver'of the reversing mechanism.

4. In a match book making machine wherein match books. are slid one after thepther along a support with the thin ends all facing in the same direction, a stacking mechanism, means for successively reversing alternate books and delivering all of the books to the stacking mechanism, said means comprising a reversing mechanism through which the support extends, said reversing mechanism having means for receiving and gripping each of the successivebooks and reversing only the alternate ones, and a transfer mechanism, said reversing mechanism and said transfer mechanism operating on different books simultaneously and means for delivering the books from one of said mechanisms to the other, said mechanisms being rotatable about axes at right angles to one another.

5. In a match book making machine wherein match books are slid along a support with the thin ends all facing in the same direction, a stacking mechanism, means for successively reversing alternate books and delivering all of the books to the stacking mechanism, said means comprising a reversing mechanism and a transfer mechanism operating on different books simultaneously and means for delivering the books from one of said mechanisms to the other, said mechanisms being rotatable about axes at right angles to one another, said reversing mechanism including a receiver over the support and past which the support extends, said receiver receiving successive books, means for rotating the receiver through 180 for each alternate book received, said receiver being stationary for each intervening alternate book, said transfer mechanism being in advanc of the reversing mechanism and receiving all of the books therefrom, wherebyalternate books received by the transfer mechanism are reversed.

6. In a match book making machine wherein matches are slid along a support with the thin ends all facing in the same direction, a stacking mechanism, means for successively reversing alf ternate books and delivering all of the books to the stacking mechanism, said means comprising a reversing mechanism and a transfer mechanism operating on different books simultaneously and means for delivering the books from one of said mechanisms to the other, said two last named mechanisms being rotatable about axes at right angles to one another, said reversing mechanism including a receiver for receiving successive books, means for rotating the receiver through 180 for each alternate book received, said receiver being stationary for each intervening alternate book, the axis of rotation of the receiver being at right angles to a fiat side of the match book and passing centrally therethrough, said transfer mechanism being in advance of the reversing mechanism and receiving all of the books therefrom whereby alternate books received by the transfer mechanism are reversed. 7. In a match book making machine wherein the match books are slid along a support with the thin ends of the books all facing in the same direction, a reversing mechanism havin a pair of arms between which the books are successively moved one at a time with a period of dwell between the arms,'means for rotating the reversing mechanism through 180 during the period of dwell of alternate books between the arms and maintaining the reversing mechanism stationary duringithe periods of dwell oftheintervening a1- ternatebooks, th axis of rotation of the reversing mechanism bein at rightangles to a flat side of the book and passing through the center thereof, a transfer mechanism receiving the successive books from the reversing mechanism, said transfer mechanism comprising a rotating frame having a plurality of receivers on the periphery thereof and all stationary with respect to the frame, said frame being rotatable about an axis at right angles to the axis of rotation of the reversing mechanism, and means for rotating the transfer mechanism intermittently through a fixed angle during each period of dwell in the movement of the match books on the support, whereby the reversal of each alternate match book takes place while a book in advance thereof is being transferred by the rotating frame.

8. In a match book making machine wherein the match books are slid along a support with the thin ends of the books all facing in the same direction, a pusher mechanism pushing the books along the support in a step by step manner, a reversing mechanism having a pair of arms between which the books are successively moved one at a time with a period of dwell between the arms, means for rotating the reversing mechanism through during the :period of dwell of alternate books between the arms and maintaining the reversing mechanism stationary during the periods of dwell of the intervening alternate books, the axis of rotation of the reversing mechanism being at right angles to a flat side of the book and passing-through the center thereof, said arms being entirely above the support and gripping the edges of the book and turning the book while the book remains supported by the support and slides on the support through a 180 angle, said pusher mechanism :pushing the books through the arms with a period of dwell between the arms, a transfer mechanism receiving the successive books from the reversing mechanism, said transfer mechanism comprisin a rotating frame having a plurality of receivers on the periphery thereof and all stationary with respect to the frame, said frame being rotatable about an axi at right angles to the axis of rotation of the reversing mechanism, said pusher mechanism pushing the books from the arms to the transfer mechanism, and means for rotating the transfer mechanism intermittently through a fixed angle during each period of dwell in the movement of the match books on the support, whereby the reversal of each alternate match book takes place while a book in advance thereof is being transferred by the rotatin frame.

9. In a match book making machine including a slide upon which match books are slid in a step by step manner to different stations where different operations are performed upon the books in the process of manufacture, a pusher mechanism pushing the books in a step by step manner from station to station, a book receiver positioned above the slide and'through which the pusherpushes the books on the slide one at a time with a period of dwell while each book is in the-receiver, means for rotating the receiver through 180 during alternate periods of dwell and maintaining the receiver stationary during the periods of dwell of the intervening alternate books, whereby alternate books are reversed in their passage through the receiver.

10. In a match book making machine including a slide upon which match books are slide in a step by step manner. to different stations wher difler ent operation are performed upon the books in the process of manufacture, a pusher mechanism pushing the books in a step by step manner from station to station, a book receiver positioned above the slide and including arms through which the 5 pusher pushes the books one at a time with a period of dwell while each book is in the receiver, means for rotating the receiver through 180 during alternate periods of dwell and maintaining the receiver stationary during the periods of 10 dwell of the intervening alternate books, Whereby alternate books are reversed in their passage through the receiver arms, said receiver gripping the edges of a book While the book rests on the slide, said arms turning the book as it rests 15 on the slide.

11. In a match bookmakirig machine, a reversing mechanism including means for receiving ing mechanism while maintaining the two books spaced apart.

MORRIS SPECTOR. 

